Luís D´ Antín: `We have the tools and the talent to reach the top five in 2003´

Luís D´ Antín: `We have the tools and the talent to reach the top five in 2003´

Yamaha team boss Luis D´Antín is currently in the midst of a busy and intense period trying to organise and prepare his squad in the pre-season months for the 2003 MotoGP Championship. The former rider is shifting his outfit down to Jerez next week for the first test of the year, and after his debut appearance in December new recruit Shinya Nakano will be making his second outing for the team. D´Antín took a valuable minute out of his day to explain his plans to motograndprix.com.

`Tomorrow Shinya arrives here at the team base because we are testing in Jerez next week. The initial test in December was practical and useful to make contact, get familiar with the new rider and his wishes, and generally set the ball rolling. Now we will be looking to make changes and modifications to the machine with our ideas and that of Shinya´s,´ explained the manager from Madrid. `After our time in Jerez we have to plan our schedule for Valencia from the 25th to the 28th of January. Obviously we will also be looking to make the IRTA tests in Jerez, Estoril y Barcelona. In this last session, in principle, we also hope to make the official team presentation. On top of all that, between testing here and there, we have to find Shinya somewhere to live near Madrid!´.

The Japanese rider, who last year raced for the Tech 3 Yamaha squad, will have his work cut out as the only rider on the team in 2003. D´ Antín is optimistic and positive about what his new rider has the ability to achieve. ´Nakano has a lot of skill and talent and is an official Yamaha rider. Along with the capability of the bike, we have a package that has the potential to fight for top five positions. Next season we hope to obtain the team´s best ever result; that is our objective, we then want to boost our size and structure so that in 2004 we can field two riders´.